Why book with us?

No prepayment required (you do not pay until check out, unless otherwise stated).

Community Perks:

Join us and benefit from sweet add-ons such as free breakfast, free WiFi, late checkout & more.

Formerly a British shipping port, Penang's George Town is now a vibrant international metropolis. A UNESCO World Heritage site city, George Town strives to strike a balance between past and future, preserving its heritage buildings as it continues to develop into a vital center of industry and tourism. Experience this unique combination for yourself at Macalister Mansion, a quirky and sophisticated lifestyle destination that nods both to Penang's colonial past and to its colorful present. Each room has its own bespoke features and artwork, from the privately commissioned love sonnet in the Bridal Suite, to the spiral staircase and turret room in Room 4, to the Grace Tan textile piece in Room 7 which pays tribute to the tartan colors of the Macalister clan. The rest of the hotel is equally thought-out: two restaurants offer options for casual or fine dining, a mosaic lap pool is attached to a "swim-up" bar, and visitors to The Cellar can enjoy a glass of exquisite wine or champagne.

Nearest Airport

PEN - Penang International Airport

Food & Drink

Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, Café

Spa & Recreation

Cardio Vascular Equipment, Indoor & Outdoor Pool

Internet

Complimentary WiFi

Services

Concierge, Parking, Pool Side Service

Architecture

Colonial to contemporary

Macalister Mansion is a pioneer project from Heritage Redefined, an initiative spearheaded by hotel owner Dato Sean with the aim of regenerating historic colonial buildings into useful, practical contemporary spaces. Sean and co-owner Datin Karen worked with Colin Seah of Singapore's renowned Ministry of Design to renovate and revitalize a hundred-year-old colonial mansion, preserving the building's heritage aspects while adding modern-day amenities and contemporary design touches. Together, they conceived the hotel’s design as a single holistic vision, with the eight suites and five dining and bar areas working synergistically.

Interior Design

Intimate scale and attention to detail

Macalister Mansion differentiates itself from the local boutique hotel scene by its intimate scale, contemporary design and attention to details – ranging from art curation to branding and interior design, and everything in-between. The Den is an intimate hideout with a wide selection of cigars as well as blended and single-malt whiskeys.

Each suite is customized with specially commissioned work from an artist or collection of artists, and each has its own unique architectural features. Room 3, for example, boasts a wrought-iron balcony as well as a fabric collage by Malaysian artist Lee Meiling, while Room 8 features exposed truss beams from the building's original construction, as well as art by Malaysia-based UK artist Thomas Powell, commemorating the life of hotel namesake Sir Norman Macalister.

Interior Design

Intimate scale and attention to detail

Macalister Mansion differentiates itself from the local boutique hotel scene by its intimate scale, contemporary design and attention to details – ranging from art curation to branding and interior design, and everything in-between. The Den is an intimate hideout with a wide selection of cigars as well as blended and single-malt whiskeys.

Each suite is customized with specially commissioned work from an artist or collection of artists, and each has its own unique architectural features. Room 3, for example, boasts a wrought-iron balcony as well as a fabric collage by Malaysian artist Lee Meiling, while Room 8 features exposed truss beams from the building's original construction, as well as art by Malaysia-based UK artist Thomas Powell, commemorating the life of hotel namesake Sir Norman Macalister.

Interior Design

Intimate scale and attention to detail

Macalister Mansion differentiates itself from the local boutique hotel scene by its intimate scale, contemporary design and attention to details – ranging from art curation to branding and interior design, and everything in-between. The Den is an intimate hideout with a wide selection of cigars as well as blended and single-malt whiskeys.

Each suite is customized with specially commissioned work from an artist or collection of artists, and each has its own unique architectural features. Room 3, for example, boasts a wrought-iron balcony as well as a fabric collage by Malaysian artist Lee Meiling, while Room 8 features exposed truss beams from the building's original construction, as well as art by Malaysia-based UK artist Thomas Powell, commemorating the life of hotel namesake Sir Norman Macalister.

Made by Originals

Dato Sean and Datin Karen

Macalister Mansion co-owners Dato Sean and Datin Karen are proud Penangites, avid art collectors, and well-known investors in the local restaurant scene. After successful dining ventures such as 32 The Mansion, Beach Blanket Babylon, and the original Bagan Bar, the couple decided to make their first foray into the hotel industry with Macalister Mansion. The hotel was a labor of love for the global travelers. Their personal involvement is evident in Macalister Mansion's every aspect: from the specially commissioned art on the walls to the personalized and intimate service, to the unique combination of historic beauty and present-day dynamism that characterizes the hotel.